Deutsche Bank said Boyd Gaming Corporation is its top pick in the regional gaming space and downgraded MGM Growth Properties LLC to Hold from Buy, as part of its 2017 outlook for the sector. "Given favorable pertinent macro-economic indicators and the potential for policy-related boosts to the regional gaming consumer, we are favorably biased towards the regional operators as we head into 2017," analyst Carlo Santarelli wrote in a note.

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I still like the long-term case for FLL: experienced, incentivized management taking over a micro-cap with an eye on a sale. But results the past two quarters truthfully haven't been great: the Mississippi property remains key, and had a disappointing Q3, as even CEO Dan Lee admitted.

MCRI has performed nicely over the past few quarters, taking share in Colorado and benefiting from a strengthened economy in Reno. But the stock isn't necessarily cheap when incorporating the ~$250 million left to spend on the hotel tower in Black Hawk, and there are some nagging concerns.

Las Vegas-based Pinnacle Entertainment would consider acquiring a Las Vegas property if the right deal came along, but at present, executives are happy with its geographically diverse portfolio. Pinnacle CEO Anthony Sanfillipo made the remarks Thursday in a conference call with investors announcing the company's third-quarter earnings.